RAF Ibsley is a WWII airfield in the New Forest, approximately 2 Miles north of Ringwood, just to the South of Ashley Walk. It was closed in 1952, with much of the airfield now quarry lakes, however a surprising number of the airfield buildings still survive. The control tower still stands and thankfully is now in the hands of the RAF Ibsley Airfield Heritage Trust.
Brooklands Farm now stands where the No. 2 Communal Site at South Gorley was located, and still has a number of the original RAF buildings in place.
Every year there is an excellent event ‘By-Gone Days’ on the first weekend of August, which raises funds for local charities such as the Air Ambulance, Salisbury Hospicecare etc.
Some images and info from previous years:
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- By-Gone Days 2013 Flyer
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- The Kent Spitfire displays at By-Gone Days
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- Hurricane displays at By-Gone Days
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- Some buildings are almost completely original
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- RAF buildings mixed in with stalls and vistors
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- By-Gone Days always has a large attendance of classic farm vehicles. Some are quite amazing.
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- Our stand!
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- Large range of ex military equipment
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- Always good support form the local model aircraft clubs. The Air Ambulance tries to attend but obviously can’t if they are on a call out.
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- Always a great display!
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- This looked positively dangerous, but good fun!